Mumabai: Lecture on HIV/AIDS and Access to Treatment - 12 June 07

[Guest guest]

INVITE - HIV/AIDS and Access to Treatment Lecture of Justice ZM Yacoob -Judge,

Constitutional Court of South Africa

In the past the judiciary in India has played a vital role in interpreting the

law for the benefit of the poor and marginalized, however, today many activists

within the country feel that the judiciary is failing the most vulnerable of the

country. South Africa like India has a shared history of colonialism,

economically and socially too there are many similarities. However an important

difference is unlike India in the recent past South African Constitutional Court

has passed many landmark judgments to protect and promote the rights of the

weakest and the poorest in the country.

Taking the opportunity of Justice Yacoob's sabbatical from the Constitutional

Court of South Africa in May and June, ICHRL has invited him for lecture tour in

the various parts of country. As a part of this tour, a lecture on 'HIV/AIDS and

Access' to Treatment has been organized on June 12, 2007 at YWCA, Colaba

HIV/AIDS is one of the most serious public health challenges facing the world

today. Since the first case which was recorded in 1986 the disease has now

reached epidemic proportions and is prevalent throughout the country. The

highest HIV prevalence rates are found in Maharashtra in the west; Andhra

Pradesh and Karnataka in the south; and Manipur and Nagaland in the north-east.

Despite NACO statements that India has nearly doubled the number of government

health facilities offering antiretroviral drugs at no cost to HIV-positive

people as part of a campaign to increase access to HIV/AIDS treatment, most of

the positive people face daily problems in getting access to treatment as their

way of life.

Justice Z M Yacoob, will focus his lecture on the sharing South African

experiences in similar situations. At this meeting, latest publication from

HRLN, “HIV/AIDS and Law - Volume 1 and 2” will also be launched by Justice Z M

Yacoob.This will be followed by Lunch at the venue.

Date: June 12, 2007

Time: 10 am to 1 pm

Venue: YWCA, Colaba, Mumbai (Landmark: Regal Theatre)

Kindly call at 23439651 or 23436692 and register your participation in advance

with Deepa or Reshma.

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

Programme:

Lecture of Justice ZM Yacoob -Judge, Constitutional Court of South Africa

Theme:

HIV/AIDS and Access to Treatment

Dates: 12th June 2007

Venue: YWCA, Near Regeal Theatre, Mumbai

Organiser: India Centre for Human Rights and Law, Mumbai

Time Programme

10:00 am to 10:15 am Registration Deepa / Reshma

10:15 am to 10:30 am TEA and Introduction

10:30 am to 12:00 pm Lecture - HIV/AIDS and Access to Treatment Justice ZM

Yacoob -Judge, Constitutional Court of South Africa

12:00 pm to 12:45 pm Discussion and Q & A Session Coordinated by Adv. Nitu

Sanadhya

12:45 pm to 1:00 pm Vote of Thanks Dr. Prabhjot Kaur

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm LUNCH

Note - This programme involves limited participation hence pre-registration is

compulsory for participation. Call at 23439651 or 23436692 and register your

participation in advance with Deepa or Reshma.

In Solidarity,

Deepika D'Souza

Executive Director - ICHRL

e-mail: <documentation@...>